022.1.2 Shamal's Excellent Astral Adventure

[Corwin]

[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> --
[20:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's strange. Shamal feels a pull for a few seconds, before she's drifting. She's just drifting, her vision transfixed into silver. Silver skies as far as she can see, floating along. This is disturbed as she plops down  fairly hard on something solid, her eyes clearing. Ow.
[20:34] <Shamal> "Ow!" Shamal calls it likes she sees it. Opening her eyes, she looks around and tries to right herself, getting her bearings.
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> All above and around her is a great shining silver sky. An endless sphere, magnificent in it's cold, unfeeling eternity. She lies - no, half floats - on a small chunk of land here. It looks like a bit of half dead forest, trees with red and brown leaves, about a dozen of them. A small river runs through it. IT's only about fourty feet wide, a rough circle.
[20:37] <Shamal> "This... isn't the Bay of Sparkling Stars..." Shamal gapes a moment, looking around and attempting to figure out just where in the multiverse she is.
[20:37] <Shamal> OOC: knowledge planes?
[20:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Sure.
[20:38] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 for 20
[20:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: It's the Astral Plane.
[20:40] * Shamal briefly looks up above her head to see if she can spot a silver cord, deciding to talk to herself just to help maintain her mental equilibrium over a very distressing situation. "It's okay, you're only in the Astral Plane... it connects everywhere, so it's a simple matter of finding a portal home. Nothing to it, really." Somehow she doesn't sound as convincing as she'd like.
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There isn't a silver cord that Shamal sees. Only an uncaring silver sky, a small nugget of reality around her. A dying forest, no immediate signs of animals.
[20:49] * Shamal begins to pace around her little island in infinity, making sure to look over the edges as well as in all other directions - there has to be something out there besides this dying little rock?
[20:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Spot check if you like.
[20:50] <Shamal> roll 1d20+12
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
[20:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> While you notice that there's nothing int he void, you happen to turn. Sitting against a tree on the edge of the land is a man. A sallow man with a long face, ears almost pointed, elevated. He wears dark brown and gray leathers, a longsword resting besides him. "Hello there, traveller."
[20:54] <Shamal> "Oh!" Shamal's eyes widen slightly, before she smiles - she'll take any company right now, all things considered. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice you there..." Well, now she feels foolish for indulging in the urge to talk to herself. "Ahh, how long have I been here?"
[20:54] * Tai{WelcomeToHell} is now known as Taishyr{Collapse}
[20:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Who cares? Time's meaningless here." He smiels at those words, a face with not quite enough skin to go over all of it. IT results in him looking as drawn as a skull when he smiles. "New here, eh?"
[20:57] <Shamal> "So I've heard, but it's not so meaningless on my own plane, and I'd rather not be absent too long," the currently blue-haired elf replies. "My name is Shamal Velka," she introduces herself.
[20:57] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 planes to identify this dude's species, as if I didn't know
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 planes to identify this dude's species, as if I didn't know and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
[20:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "A pleasure." He looks on with green eyes, almost all pale white surrounded by tiny ringlets of forest green. "Then you'd better drink up and get going - even if you don't need it, water's still rare. Enjoy it while you have a chance."
[21:01] <Shamal> "Get going where?" Shamal asks, glancing around (and subtly making sure she still has her haversack attached), "There's nothing anywhere, as far as the eye can see."
[21:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shamal does. "Go flying," he looks up, "Just will yourself to and you can explore. Unless you want to spend time here?" he inquires, tapping against the dying tree he rests against.
[21:04] <Shamal> "I feel I've rested long enough," she demurs. "But would you have any suggestions as to where to go - you seem to know the lay of the land far better than I, Mr...?" she trails off, since her earlier hint at getting his name failed.
[21:05] * Serith (~iron_drag@cpe-76-183-251-6.tx.res.rr.com) has joined #evildunes
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Shad." He speaks it casually, rubbing his chin. "Up there a ways is a place you might like." He stands at that, starting to walk around the tree, going out of vision a moment. He comes around it floating, going up and to the left. "Good luck."
[21:06] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 sense motive, bitch!
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 sense motive, bitch! and gets 19."12 [1d20=9]
[21:08] <Shamal> "Perhaps I will," Shamal experimentally lifts herself off the ground, taking a moment to get the hang of this subjective gravity business. It's an odd mental exercise, that's for sure...
[21:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's easy enough to grasp, Shamal lifting off the ground. Fast, too!
[21:10] <Shamal> "Thank you, Shad," Shamal calls to him as he starts to float to the left. "Perhaps we will meet again." With that she begins ascending upwards, slowly at first but then accelerating to go as fast as she can after a few moments, since no impediments seem to be in her way.
[21:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He doesn't stop, but as you speak your last words, "PErhaps we will," he calls back, looking at Shamal before she takes off. Off into the silvery sky all around her...(More)

[Corwin]

[17:43] <Kotono> Soon the ground she was on has winked away into the silvery void. As Shamal begins to travel, she observes the plane. Occasional, great tubed clouds of  white, silver, green and blue occasionally disturb the horizon from far away, but they whisk away from Shamal in seconds. On and on she goes, along and along. How long is spent in this silvery place? The very meaning of time is dead, only endless perception. A breath closer to eternity, a
[17:45] <Kotono>  A breath closer to eternity, as...(More)
[17:45] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[17:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 5."12 [1d100=5]
[17:45] <Kotono> An hour? A week? A month? Time is impossible to pin down as Shamal goes along.
[17:45] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[17:46] <Kotono> An hour? A week? A month? Time is impossible to pin down as Shamal goes along. But eventually she sees something on the horizon - it looks like a disembodied tower far to the left. It just floats in the serene void.
[17:50] <Shamal> It's something! Fearing that she'll go mad in this endless monotony, Shamal decides to investigate - but before that, it'd be a good idea to be prepared. Not even sure how long it's been, Shamal brings herself to a halt and digs out her spellbook, spending fifteen minutes or so poring over it and attempting to imprint the spells she wants into her mind...
[17:51] <Kotono> This goes well. Shamal is able to learn the eldrich powers.
[17:54] <Shamal> That done, she stows her spellbook away and spends some time praying to Mielikki for guidance, refreshing her mind for the trials no doubt ahead.
[17:55] <Kotono> The time passes, spells coming as well. Shamal has a distinct feeling of closeness as she prays.
[17:57] <Shamal> Feeling refreshed and invigourated by her prayers, Shamal feels ready to face the challenges ahead! Therefore she flies towards the tower, hoping to find something or someone useful, there.
[17:59] <Kotono> As Shamal approaches she begins to see things of note. It's a vast and tall tower, made of a dull green stone. There looks to be only one entrance - in the middle, fenced in with a steel mesh cage, a gate to get in from below.
[17:59] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[17:59] <Kotono> As Shamal approaches she begins to see things of note. It's a vast and tall tower, made of a dull green stone. There looks to be only one entrance - in the middle, fenced in with a steel mesh cage, a gate to get in from below. Inside this, against the wall, is the door in. A single plain door, unobstrusive.
[18:00] * Shamal flies up to the top of the tower - not like it takes effort here, and takes a look to see if there's another ingress.
[18:01] <Kotono> Atop it there is no entrance, but there is a mural atop it. A windy plane - no a forest - no a sea - no...urgh, it keeps changing with an ever blowing wind. A mural colored magenta.
[18:03] * Shamal studies the mural for a moment before flying down, spiralling around the tower in search of any windows before she checks under the 'base'.
[18:05] <Kotono> There are no windows. On the bottom you see another mural. An infinite pit, thousands and trillions of circular layers plummeting. You can see eyes staring at you from it, horrible eyes of amyethist.
[18:06] * Shamal shivers a bit, flying back up to the cage again. Well... she's really not going to get anywhere by flying through an infinite void, so it's either take her chances here or with the expanse... Not thrilled with either of her choices, she casts detect magic and casts her eye over the cage and the door before approaching.
[18:09] <Kotono> The cage door below has faint magic around it.
[18:10] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 on spellcraft for 25
[18:10] <Kotono> OOC: Faint Abjuration.
[18:11] * Shamal gingerly approaches the opening and proceeds to withdraw her quarterstaff from her haversack, using it to poke the door. "If only Seira were here..." she can't help but mutter.
[18:11] <Kotono> OOC _ Trying to open it or just poke it?
[18:13] <Shamal> OOC: poking it.
[18:14] <Kotono> The door is poked! Nothing happens.
[18:14] <Kotono> Well no, it makes a slight metallic clink of little note.
[18:16] <Shamal> Slightly reassured, Shamal uses her stick to try and prod the door open!
[18:16] <Kotono> The door opens with little of note occuring.
[18:16] <Kotono> Ahead is the caged in space in front of the door to the tower.
[18:17] <Shamal> Watching still for any change in the magic (though unsure what she'd do if it did change), Shamal carefully flies herself into the cage.
[18:17] <Kotono> The magic is steady and constant. Nothing of note occurs when Shamal flies into the tower. However, she can note that the handle to the door is destroyed, the door propped closed.
[18:18] <Shamal> Feeling a mite foolish, Shamal politely knocks on the door.
[18:18] <Kotono> The knock echos in the silvery eternity, the door creaking open an inch at the knocking. There is no reply.
[18:19] <Shamal> Now safely able to rationalise that she followed politeness rather than openly barging into someone's home, Shamal... opens the door!
[18:21] <Kotono> Inside you find that the roof and floor both have large, steel circular doors. They look incredibly sturdy, but the top one has been half obliterated, a hole in the middle allowing passage. Resting in mid air is a simple coffin of white stone, a sheet of paper hanging from it's side, half ripped off.
[18:22] <Shamal> Assuming she sees no scary magic, Shamal glides over towards the coffin, taking a look at the paper hanging on it.
[18:22] <Kotono> OOC: Languages?
[18:23] <Shamal> OOC: Common, Druidic, Terran, Auran, Aquan, Ignan, Sylvan, Gnomish
[18:23] <Kotono> Shamal cannot read the golden letters on the page.
[18:23] <Shamal> Glad she prepared appropriate magic, Shamal casts comprehend languages and gives it another go!
[18:26] <Kotono> Here lies Arianna. She left her beloved forests and nature, all for standing watch over the twin accurseds forever. May her soul rest with Habbakuk and Chislev.
[18:28] <Shamal> "Oh, Arianna..." Shamal looks sadly between the coffin and the obliterated door above. Resolving not to disturb the bottom door, Shamal first checks if there are any other doors around here, and if not she flies up through the ruined upper one.
[18:31] <Kotono> There are no other doors. Pasthere is another chamber, with another circular door. This one looks to be made of some sort of silvery metal, mostly torn apart and smelted. Gobs ofw hatever it was litter the floor, charred and ruined. On the walls, murals are half smashed, bones of some sort of winged humanoid littering the floor by them.
[18:32] * Shamal takes a moment to study the bones on the off chance she can identify the species they belong to.
[18:33] <Kotono> OOC: Knowledge: Planes.
[18:33] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[18:33] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
[18:34] <Kotono> Shamal can tell that they are some sort of celestial creature. An angel, perhaps.
[18:37] <Shamal> Unsure whether they were prisoners or guardians, Shamal takes a moment to search this room before moving onto the next.
[18:37] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 search
[18:37] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 search and gets 24."12 [1d20=20]
[18:39] <Kotono> Shamal inspects the ruins. There is nothing of note in this room, only ruins.
[18:39] <Shamal> And so she flies up to the next chamber through the ruined sivery door.
[18:41] <Kotono> In here is another room. A door of a strange golden material is atop here, half destroyed. The outer layer is ruined, only a thin inner layer of steel surviving. But the way is blocked, and you can tell why. Here are scorched skeletons, of two types. There are four of winged humanoids, with curved claws and dozens of metallic barbs attacked to their bodies and skeletons. The other two are vaguely humanoid. The floors and walls are burned
[18:41] <Kotono> There is a lingering smell in the air, of fire, acid and of worse things.
[18:42] <Kotono> The floors and walls are burned black.
[18:44] * Shamal sniffs, wondering if the scent means this is recent or if it's just an effect of the Astral Plane... the skeletons don't look new, but one never can tell with Outsiders... Once again Shamal searches this room in case there's anything interesting hidden amidst the carnage before she moves on.
[18:44] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4
[18:44] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19."12 [1d20=15]
[18:45] <Kotono> Shamal finds that a small red bag lies half caught in the barbs of one of the skeletons. It's caught rather nicely on first glance, though.
[18:46] <Shamal> Any magic?
[18:46] <Kotono> There is moderate magic inside of the bag.
[18:47] <Shamal> roll 1d20+15 spellcraft
[18:47] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+15 spellcraft and gets 20."12 [1d20=5]
[18:47] <Kotono> Moderate Necromancy.
[18:48] * Shamal is somewhat dubious, but there are plenty of inoffensive uses of the necromantic arts. Carefully reaching out, she attempts to unsnag the bag from where it's caught, before opening it and taking a look inside.
[18:49] <Kotono> OOC - Reflex save.
[18:50] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5
[18:50] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
[18:51] <Kotono> Shamal is able to avoid the barbs and get the bag out. Inside is a blue gem, about the size of a baby's fist. Yet iti s not still, perfectly circular adn with a tormented face flashing on the front. It screams in unheard distress, distorted and vaguely male.
[18:53] * Shamal takes the gem out of the bag and holds it up. "Hello, can you hear me?" she asks, wondering just what happened in this place.
[18:54] <Kotono> The face swirls, fading in and out of sight. The same wail over and over, silent as the silver skies outside. As you hold it, you feel your breath quicken, an allure. You feel energy seeping into your hands, slowly.
[18:57] <Shamal> OOC: Can I make a knowledge check of some kind to see if I know anything about souls being bound into evil gems and giving power to whomever owns them?
[18:57] <Kotono> OOC: Knowledge: Planes.
[18:57] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 15."12 [1d20=5]
[18:58] <Kotono> Shamal remembers that it's a practice  amid certain sects of devils and demons. Some of them grant various powers or are absorbed.
[18:58] <Shamal> Do I have any idea what happens if said gem is shattered?
[18:59] <Kotono> OOC: You're not sure. You think it would release the soul, but...you can't be totally sure.
[19:01] <Shamal> "This is... vile!" Shamal's expression slowly turns to horror as she holds the gem. Resolving to take the risk rather than leave the soul to suffer like this, she carefully sets the gem down on a flat surface, before taking her quarterstaff and bringing it solidly down atop the gem in hopes of shattering it.
[19:04] <Kotono> The gem shatters! Like a thousand shards of glass, each one evaporating on breakage. It is gone within seconds, the deed done.
[19:05] * Shamal watches the fragments for a moment, making sure the magic disperses.
[19:06] <Kotono> The magic fades with the gem shards, vanishing into oblivion.
[19:07] <Shamal> "Kelemvor, guide this poor spirit on his way to whatever God will take him," the blonde briefly closes her eyes and lowers her head in prayer for the tortured soul. Still no closer to solving the mystery of this place, she flies up through the ruined golden door.
[19:10] <Kotono> The ruined golden door is still partly intact. The chains and lock are broken, though, but it looks like it'll take a bit of as truggle to open it.
[19:11] * Shamal appears to have time to kill, so takes a few moments to try and open the door herself before she considers other options.
[19:15] <Kotono> OCO - STR check.
[19:15] <Shamal> OOC: taking 20
[19:15] <Shamal> OOC: for 20
[19:17] <Kotono> With great effort Shamal finally opens the doorw ith her last vestige of success! It's partly ruined, making the deed possible. Inside of here is a large room, several stories tall. Atop it rests a disk of magenta, a floating platform below it. Thick iron bars surround it, moderate magic radiating in this room.
[19:19] <Shamal> roll 1d20+15 spellcraft~
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+15 spellcraft~ and gets 17."12 [1d20=2]
[19:19] <Kotono> Shamal can't figure out the magic here, it's just too much.
[19:19] <Shamal> OOC: the magic suffuses the whole room?
[19:21] <Kotono> OOC - Yes. Particularly around the bars.
[19:22] * Shamal tosses a copper coin into the room to see if the magic reacts at all to the intrusion.
[19:22] <Kotono> Nothing happens besidesthe copper coin floating up when tossed.
[19:22] <Shamal> Nothing ventured nothing gained, right? Hoping this isn't a huge mistake, Shamal flies up into the room!
[19:23] <Kotono> Shamal flies up! The bars are many, only a few inches between each barrier. The way to the magenta disk is fully sealed off to casual examination, it appears.
[19:25] * Shamal wonders how the imprisoned creature managed such a violent escape without disturbing the actual cage. Flying around the bars, she studies the disk and the platform from all angles, before searching the rest of the room for anything interesting.
[19:25] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 search
[19:25] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 search and gets 6."12 [1d20=2]
[19:25] * Carthrat is now known as QueenRat
[19:25] * QueenRat is now known as QueenTao
[19:27] * QueenTao is now known as Carthrat
[19:27] <Kotono> There's not much of note in the room, it's quite plain besides the bars and platform. The disk is one of magenta, slightly irregular. It spins and swirls as ou watch it, seeming never ot stay the same, always changing.
[19:28] <Shamal> Catching her thrown copper coin, Shamal idly tosses it through the bars and at the disk on the off chance something might happen.
[19:29] <Kotono> The bars flash white! Searing fire erupts from them, at first scorching the coin with white flames! It melts almost instantly, before the fires gush out around the room in a deadly sweep! OOC - Ref save.
[19:29] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5
[19:29] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+5 and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
[19:29] <Kotono> roll 1d10+2
[19:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+2 and gets 7."12 [1d10=5]
[19:29] <Kotono> Ow! The fire burn Shamal...but not that much.  Despite the pain, it feels only as a minor to moderate injury.
[19:33] * Shamal yelps in pain, gently patting the magical sling looped through her belt as it wards off the worst of it. There doesn't appear to be much else she can do here, so she flies back down to the first room of the tower and eyes the bottom door thoughtfully, looking for any sign that it's been disturbed.
[19:33] <Kotono> The bottom door looks untouched. It is perfect and polished, well kept in the supreme.
[19:34] <Shamal> Any handles or similar implements of door opening on it?
[19:35] <Kotono> Shamal does not see any handles or the like. On an inspection, it looks like there are no outer handles to open it at all, just a heavy door.
[19:36] * Shamal gives it a nudge, just on the off chance. She'll knock, too, while she's at it.
[19:37] <Kotono> The door does not move. The knock echos, knuckles on steel, but nothing happens.
[19:41] * Shamal floats for a moment, considering. Chances are, whatever's bound beyond these doors is still there, and it's probably best for the universe if it remains. But there's really nothing else to investigate, here... Well, besides the coffin, but she's not really interested in disturbing the dead.
[19:43] <Shamal> Before leaving, she decides to give this room a brief search just on the off chance.
[19:43] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4
[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+4 and gets 12."12 [1d20=8]
[19:43] <Kotono> There's not much besides the coffin and doors. Checking in the coffin would require opening it.
[19:46] * Shamal gently pats the lid of the coffin. "May Mielikki watch over you, wherever you are," she blesses her deceased fellow nature lover, before flying out of the tower.
[19:46] <Shamal> This time instead of just flying upwards on the say so of Shran, she fixes in her mind the image of a portal leading to the Prime Material, and resumes her flight 'upwards' relative to the tower - belief and will are as important as anything physical on the planes, so focusing on her goal is better than wandering aimlessly.
[19:47] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 65."12 [1d100=65]
[19:50] <Kotono> Shamal continues to fly along! A bit of time passes, how much is anyone's guess. The tower is long gone when she sees something on the horizon. It looks to be a grand ship, a great flat decked boat sailing through the silver sky with impunity. It has yellow sails, it's path direct and above you.
[19:51] <Shamal> Hopefully it'll have a crew - Shamal could greatly use some conversation. Flying upwards, she attempts to intercept the Astral Galleon!
[19:54] <Kotono> Shamal flies up! The boat is moving at a good clip, but not quite as fast as Shamal. She is able to get a view of the deck as it approaches. There are men on the deck, yellow skined with entirely too much bone and not enough flesh. They wear arms and armor. There is on ein the crow's nest, a periscope as it stares ahead at the horizon in Shamal's direction.
[19:55] <Shamal> OOC: same species as Shad?
[19:55] <Kotono> OOC: Doesn't quite look it.
[19:55] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 planes to ID what trouble I've gotten into!
[19:55] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 planes to ID what trouble I've gotten into! and gets 20."12 [1d20=10]
[19:55] <Kotono> Shamal believes that they are gith.
[19:56] <Shamal> OOC: Are Gith any different from normal in this setting?
[19:56] <Shamal> OOC: Also, yanki or zerai? This is important!
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: Not that you're aware of, but you don't know a lot about them.
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: Yanki, but you aren't 100% on that at all.
[19:58] <Shamal> After a quick mental debate, Shamal casts Eagle's Splendour and Shield on herself before flying over to meet them, slowing down a bit to seem less offensive in all her scantily clad human glory. If they point weapons at her or look like they're casting spells then she'll flee.
[20:00] <Kotono> As Shamal approaches, you see the gith begin to point to her! They begin to scramble, a noise coming from the ship, a rang bell. Gith begin to rise to the decks! Warrior gith from the looks of it, but one also wears plain clothes and another wears a robe. You can see bows and nets being readied.
[20:02] <Shamal> "I don't want a fight!" Shamal calls down to them, hoping they understand common. She has a feeling she won't have time to run through her expansive reportoire of languages at this rate...
[20:03] <Kotono> You can see that they're getting the bows and nets ready, but they aren't attacking. No reply, the ship cautiously slowing and coming into a position about 300 feet away from you rso.
[20:03] <Kotono> *or so.
[20:07] <Shamal> Oddly enough, the nets worry Shamal more than the bows. If they capture her then an unkind fate probably awaits. On the other hand, if she can negotiate with them and avoid violence entirely... well, she needs friends if she's going to be stuck here for any length of time.
[20:07] <Shamal> "Er... understand Terran? Aquan? Auran? Ignan? Sylvan? Gnomish?" she attempts, saying the word for each language in its own tongue while trying to look as disarming and inoffensive as she can. With how magic works here she can probably get a spell off before a bow can be fired, but they likely have magic users of their own...
[20:08] <Kotono> The one in planeclothes steps up, voice speaking in Ignan. 4"What is you want, human?"
[20:11] <Shamal> "4Conversation would be nice,1" Shamal smiles disarmingly. "4This plane is desolate enough to drive a person mad, in time. You're only the second life I've seen in I don't know how long, child of Gith.1"
[20:12] <Kotono> 4"This is a warship and ship of plunder. Surrender to us or flee." His words are harsh, commanding in a sharp bark. "We have no time to quarter and discuss with unrelated matters to us."
[20:16] <Shamal> "4Then I suppose I shall be on my way, after all. Thank you for at least giving me the choice, for I have no desire to become a slave,1" Shamal returns, somewhat irritated. So much for having the charismatic splendour of an eagle... "4I will leave you to seek your war and plunder elsewhere,1" she bows, starting to drop below the ship's bow and out of the angle of fire for their weapons.
[20:17] <Shamal> She then pauses, remembering something! "4Actually...1" she adds. "4I may be able to interest you, after all..."
[20:18] <Kotono> The one in plainclothes floats up just a little off deck, voice booming, 4What is it?"
[20:20] <Shamal> "4You seek plunder, yes?1" the blonde asks. "4And war? To test yourselves against the greatest of foes for the richest rewards? What say you, then, to challenging an ancient blue dragon?1" Well. Her mission *was* to seek out help against that thing. She's just gone a little further afield than expected.
[20:23] <Kotono> OOC: Diplo check.
[20:24] <Shamal> roll 1d20+12
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+12 and gets 29."12 [1d20=17]
[20:25] <Kotono> Words are spoken in a tongue you do not understand, amid all the gith. The robed one seems to consider, before a terse nod. Then the one you speak with continues, 4Come here, human."
[20:28] * Shamal slowly floats over to the ship, ready to cast a spell if they make the slightest offensive gesture. "4You may address me as Captain Velka, officer in the Crimson Guard of Balmuria,1" she tells him, inferring that they'd probably respond better to her military designation rather than playing nice.
[20:31] <Kotono> The plainclothes gith nods curtly as you approach. He awaits, the gith at ready but not reacting.
[20:33] * Shamal lands on the railing of the ship, her demeanour that of a reasonably disciplined military officer rather than a friendly priestess, taking a moment to survey her gaze over the Gith assembled here, gauging the quality of their equipment before she settles on the apparent leader with an expectant look.
[20:44] <Kotono> They wear fine two handed swords on thier backs, bows and arrows ready. Two man teams ready heavy nets, long ropes connecting them to the ship's deck. The one in a robe has no weapon visible, and the planeclothes one has a two handed sword slung across his back. 4Come," he instructs, heading towards the front cabin.
[20:46] <Shamal> Stepping lightly off the railing, Shamal follows as instructed, seeming perfectly harmless, attired in naught but a flimsy tunic, a loose belt, and a haversack strapped to her back. Oh, and a green circlet which she can't hide with her hat since she's not wearing said headpiece.
[20:49] <Kotono> The gith take a few looks at her, mainly the ones still at alert. She is lead along into the cabin - a grim place, a small table and chairs. The head of a tentacled creature is mounted there on the wall. The one in plainclothes stands, 4"What is it you propose, Captain Velka?"
[20:52] <Shamal> "4First, I need to know if you have the means to travel to the Prime Material,1" Shamal tells him after a brief glance at the head on the wall. "4The ancient dragon Kondrux recently awoke from long slumber and threatened my city - I was sent to seek assistance against this threat, which took me to the Elemental Plane of Water. A portal mishap on the way back deposited me within the Astral.1"
[20:52] <Shamal> "4If you are unwilling or unable to travel to the Prime, I will take my leave and not waste any more of your time.1"
[20:56] * Taishyr is now known as Tai{Gone}
[20:57] <Kotono> 4"We could go there - but what is the reason? What is this dragon's hoard?" He asks as considers, peering at you.
[21:00] <Shamal> "4What do all dragons covet?1" the blonde asks, recalling Pollyanna's brief description. "4Gold in vast quantities first and foremost - no doubt there are other valuables and artifacts to be found. I would know more, but only one survivor returned from the expedition that roused the dragon from its slumber, and she was not able to speak of much besides purely monetary wealth.1"
[21:11] <Kotono> 4"I will consider it,"
[21:11] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[21:12] <Kotono> 4"I will consider it," He allows this as he paces a moment, "He of the Gift shall look at you first and determine how to reach your realm. But first..." The Gith's eyes narrow into little slits, "I demand that you turn over an item of value so that you will not attempt trickery."
[21:13] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 sense bullshit
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 sense bullshit and gets 30."12 [1d20=20]
[21:22] <Shamal> "4And then if you decide not to accept my invitation I have lost something valuable and gained nothing, whereas you will have gained something valuable for nothing?1" the blonde summarises. "4I dislike these terms. It is understandable not to trust a stranger, but your demand is not a reasonable one. Were I attempting to deceive you, I would not expose myself to such danger as boarding your vessel.1"
[21:26] <Kotono> 4"Hmph." THe Gith looks on at you as he considers, a moment of thought. "...very well, for the moment. I will summon the He of the Gift." He goes to the door, speaking out in words Shamal cannot understand.
[21:28] * Shamal patiently waits, studying the mounted illithid head. Well, if these guys live up to their reputation, they might have a fighting chance against Kondrux... But that dragon was pretty huge...
[21:30] <Kotono> Long minutes(?) pass, Shamal's sense of time defunct. When the gith in the robe enters, the one in plainclothes hangs back. He takes a moment to wiggle his hands and murmurs wods, then, "I have been informed. Stay still while I cast this spell."
[21:31] * Shamal does remain still, trying to identify the spell as it's being cast in case they try to pull a fast one.
[21:31] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 for 25 on spellcraft
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Shamal isn't sure - it's a custom spell. Some sort of divination and planar variant. It's not one she's familiar with.
[21:34] <Shamal> Satisfied that they're not casting anything nasty on her, Shamal offers no resistance. "You speak common? I was starting to wonder if it was used at all on the planes," she observes. Well, there was Shad, too...
[21:36] <Kotono> "Magic," he says, voice harsh as he finishes his spell in an instant! Shamal's body glows, before it projects out. In the air you see a great diagram of the Astral Plane. It shifts and changes, seeming to narrow down to one portal and through it. Here you see a grand world, a great sphere. Yet it is a sphere with a black shadow over it, little light coming. The exception are a few spots, from dim to one that is radiant and branching out.
[21:38] <Kotono> THe robed gith inspects this a moment, "...strange," he growls, brow furrowing. "Very strange."
[21:41] <Shamal> "Strange things are happening on the prime, though I'm afraid I can't interpret without knowing the spell," Shamal stares for a moment, frowning. "The shadow could represent the resurgence of the gnomes, or it could by symptomatic of the Gods abandoning the Prime," she offers, trying to focus on the most radiant spot, since it just begs for attention.
[21:42] <Kotono> SHamal can notice that the white is misty on that brightest spot. "Hmmm..." he scowls at it even more. "THis is supposed to project a path to your world and identify it, but your world is...strange."
[21:45] <Shamal> "That could explain the mishap I had trying to return there from the Elemental Plane of Water," Shamal admits, pondering slightly. Uatu? "Do you have any ideas on how this would affect planar travel?"
[21:46] <Kotono> "I suspect that..." He pauses a moemnt, as...
[21:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22."12 [1d20=8]
[21:47] <Kotono> "The bright spots connect." He finishes at last, "I see one to a lower plane, a few to the elemental plains and the brightest one is...fascinating." So he finishes, "It may be. Tell me, what is common on your world? What is not?"
[21:52] <Shamal> "It is the Prime Material," Shamal begins, pausing as if that explains it all, but she does explain further. "The elements are in comparitive balance, as are the moral and ethical dimensions."
[21:52] <Shamal> "Humans rule most of the great nations - elves still exist in their isolated kingdoms, while the dwarves have retreated from almost all contact. The great gnomish empire was annihilated by the Gods millenia ago, after which magic and the influences of the Gods gradually withdrew from the world - they still exist, but not nearly as strongly as they once did. This is why our dragon problem caught us by surprise."
[21:56] <Kotono> "Hmmmm..." The gith is silent for a long few seconds, "This fascinates me...but it is not safe. I cannot be certain of the ship coming in and out of this realm. I would need to study this in much more detail."
[21:58] <Shamal> "I had feared as much," Shamal deflates a bit. "I will not ask you to risk your ship and crew in such a manner - risking yourselves in battle is one thing, but there is no glory in a travel accident."
[22:00] <Kotono> "Hmmm..." The robed one turns to Shamal, starting to smile. He shows fangs and lots of sharp, white teeth, a slender tongue licking acrossthem. "I am willing to ask the captain to take you to a portal however..."
[22:03] <Shamal> "A generous offer," the blonde notes guardedly. "Which compels me to ask why - with no prospect of battle and plunder, I would think I had little to keep your attention with."
[22:04] <Kotono> The gith licks his lips before closing his mouth, eyes bright. "Interest." He stops a moment, the image vanishing.
[22:05] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 my bullshit alarm is pinging
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 my bullshit alarm is pinging and gets 29."12 [1d20=19]
[22:07] <Shamal> "Well, far be it from me to spurn a kind offer, when they seem to be in such short supply," Shamal inclines her head respectfully. "May I ask exactly what captures your interest so regarding my situation, however?"
[22:09] <Kotono> The gith merely smiles, turning to speak in a strange language to the plainclothes gith. He nods a few times, then speaks back briefly. He then exits the room. "Enough of it. That is a very interesting view."
[22:12] <Shamal> "4Well, if we are indeed going to find a portal, how long do you expect it to take?1" Shamal asks in Ignan to the remaining Gith after the mage departs. "4And is there any assistance I can offer to your ship while we travel?1"
[22:13] <Kotono> The gith's expression, while not kind, is neutral now. He even inclines his head deeply enough to rival a bow. 4"Merely wait. There are quarters for you if you will follow me. As for time? A concept that has no meaning here."
[22:16] <Shamal> "4Perhaps, but it will catch up with me when I return... ah, that is right,1" Shamal's eyes suddenly widen in surprise, "4While I may age a few days or weeks when I return to the Prime, it would have a far greater effect on people who have spent many lifetimes here. I had not even considered that.1" She bows respectfully, "4My apologies.1"

[Corwin]

[20:19] <Kotono> ---
[20:20] <Kotono> The quarters Shamal are given are nice. They look to be fit for a lieutenant or captain, a large if hard bed and a few decorations. Most importantly, there isa  breath or two of space, enough room to walk around or just not feel boxed in. So the impossible, forbidden time of the Astral is perceived, Shamal waiting as one only can in a timeless void. OOC - Ball's in your cuort this moment if you want to do anything or wait long enough
[20:21] <Kotono> redo spells or whatever.
[20:23] * Shamal does take some time to study her spellbook and pray to Mielikki, readying herself for whatever trials await... Something doesn't sit quite right with the Githyanki's help being offered so readily, but at the same time, she's bereft of other options...
[20:25] <Kotono> As Shamal studies, she finds her spells refreshed in due time. On looking up, she finds someone knocking on her door.
[20:27] <Shamal> "4Enter,1" the blonde calls in Ignan, rising easily to her feet after performing her devotions.
[20:29] <Kotono> The robed Githyanki enters, hands hidden inside his robe. 4"The portal you seek should be found ...soon. Tell me," He waits, meeting Shamal's eyes with his own, lulling. "I wish to hear more of your world."
[20:31] <Shamal> "4I already gave you a summary,1" Shamal replies, trying not to show her own wariness, "4Perhaps you could narrow down your interest?1"
[20:33] <Kotono> 4"Tell me if your homeland and of the dragon that you oppose." His voice shows no weariness, only interest.
[20:37] <Shamal> "4My homeland is the United Baronies, a young nation which recently earned its independence from the old Empire of Malmuth - I live in the city of Balmuria and serve in the guard, there,1" Shamal gives a brief overview. "12The dragon is named Kondrux, an old blue wyrm, somewhere close to a thousand years old. Apparently he had been sleeping for most of that time, and was only known of in ancient histories until his recent reappe
[20:37] <Shamal> OOC: oops, red for that, not blue
[20:37] <Shamal> OOC: let's just assume Ignan is said without bothering to colour text from here on?
[20:40] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[20:43] <Kotono> "Misfortune," Agreement comes from the robed Gith, "How equipped are you do deal with this menance?"
[20:49] <Shamal> "The city's defences are more focused around holding off an army, not a fast moving airborne threat such as this - aside from the possibility of massed ballista fire, conventional defences are of little use against a dragon," Shamal shakes her head sadly.
[20:49] <Shamal> "As a last resort, we have considered employing a deadly poison that resists magical healing and may be capable of overwhelming even a dragon's constitution, but it is not assured. If it came to battle, we have some talented spellcasters and more experienced warriors, but no one has even seen a dragon in hundreds of years - it's far beyond what we usually face."
[20:49] <Shamal> OOC: recent reappearance." <-- from above with the blue text
[20:51] <Kotono> "Hmmm." The robed gith smiles a little more, "Then perhaps we can come to something that will aide your defenses. Our race knows and deals with red dragons often; we know much dragon lore as a result."
[20:54] * Disconnected
[20:54] * Attempting to rejoin channel #terrorofdunes
[20:54] * Rejoined channel #terrorofdunes
[20:54] * Topic is 'The room of occasional sceneage, peerages and the rare sighting of Loligothica drone armies.'
[20:54] * Set by Kotono on Thu Mar 29 21:14:13
[20:54] * Corwin (~corwin@bzq-82-81-234-150.cablep.bezeqint.net) Quit (Broken pipe)
[20:54] <Shamal> "We don't wish to 'deal with' it, we wish to kill it," Shamal replies with uncharacteristic severity. "However, if your lore can assist in that task, then we may indeed have much to talk about," she nods, expression softening.
[20:59] <Kotono> "The most difficult feat to defeating a dragon is surviving it's breath weapon," The robed gith goes on, rustling in his robes, "A single exhalation is fatal to even a hardy, well protected opponent."
[21:00] * Shamal nods. "From what the survivor told us, all three of her companions were slain instantly when the dragon surprised them with its lightning breath," she agrees, trying to gauge the Githyanki's demeanour. Something just... doesn't sit right, even if he seems helpful.
[21:00] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 sense bullshit
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 sense bullshit and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[21:03] <Kotono> "I have a special dust of our kind, enchanted," Taking out a small vial of glittering gray dust, "It is designed to reduce the damage a dragon's breath weapon does."
[21:04] <Shamal> "And it works with any dragon?" Shamal asks thoughtfully.
[21:07] <Kotono> "It does," So promising, "The dust is enough to effect one person."  Holding the vial in his long nailed, yellow hand, "A valuable component in any dragon warrior's collection."
[21:09] <Shamal> "A shame that a dragon's breath often affects many targets," Shamal notes. "I happen to have some interest in alchemy myself, however... how difficult is this dust to create?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "Difficult," he allows, "But not impossible."
[21:12] <Shamal> "And is your interest worth sharing in such lore... you know, I just now realise I never got your name," Shamal observes. Phew, she feels like she's dancing on the head of a pin with this conversation, but there's so much at stake, and the Githyanki aren't to be taken lightly themselves...
[21:13] <Kotono> "Geatroth." He answers once, needle like tongue licking his lips. "My interest is a profitable trade."
[21:16] <Shamal> "And how do you wish to profit from me, Geatroth?" Shamal asks baldly, meeting his eyes and openly studying his reaction as he answers.
[21:21] <Kotono> "You have magic. I wish to see what magic you have and see if you have anything..worthwhile." He licks his lips again, not even blinking as he grins. A toothy, sharp grin, stretching his skin too far.
[21:23] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 sense-are-you-sure-that's-all?
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 sense-are-you-sure-that's-all? and gets 20."12 [1d20=10]
[21:30] <Shamal> "My magic has kept me alive so far, so I'd say it's worthwhile," the blonde replies, smiling. "Let's not beat around the bush, Geatroth?" she suggests pleasantly, "I want help slaying a dragon, you want something in return - that's perfectly fair and reasonable. So what do you want? A demonstration of my skills? A magical item I own? Simple but perhaps uncommon knowledge?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "The second one is a good course to pursue," he begins, "What items do you possess?"
[21:35] <Shamal> "I'd be surprised if you haven't already spotted every magical aura on me," Shamal replies, vaguely amused. "This ring," she holds up her right hand, a golden ring with a shiny white stone around her ring finger, "Offers some protection from attack, for example. And my necklace," she taps her pendant, "Increases the potency of my conjuration spells and can summon a riding horse every day."
[21:35] <Shamal> Her pose seems to relax somewhat, "And there's a few other things you've probably guessed at. The question is; What interests you, Geatroth? For all your vague answers, you strike me as the focused type - you probably knew what you wanted before you even walked in that door, am I right?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "Very good." His hands go back into his robe, hidden. "Your necklace interests me. It's gem is unusual."
[21:38] <Shamal> "Yes, it serves as a nice item, but the gem within, if properly prepared and ingested, would allow a person to summon the horse I mentioned at will - with no need to prepare a spell or carry an item. Such gems were a specialty of the now extinct Gnomish people," she frowns thoughtfully as she toys with the pendant, "I don't suppose your people ever had any dealings with them?"
[21:50] <Kotono> "Not that I know of," he admits as his eyes settle on the pendant. "Hmmm...."
[21:52] <Shamal> "I happen to like conjuration spells, so this is a very useful item to me - moreso than the ability I'd gain simply by consuming the gem," Shamal admits. "However, I may be persuaded to part with it for sufficient aid in dealing with my dragon problem."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Such as..." He goes on, smiling as he leaves it open.
[21:57] <Shamal> "Your dust is a promising start," Shamal inclines her head to the vial he holds. "It offers some defence against one of a dragon's many forms of attack. What other lore do you have in the ways of dragonkind, and how to defeat them?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "They have a single weak point. For all the toughness they have, they are not...dexterious at all. If you can damage that, they will become immobile and helpless." He smiles at those words, "Of course, such a deed is inifnitely easier said than done."
[22:04] <Shamal> "I know a spell that can reduce a target's dexterity but can't cripple it completely - perhaps I can hope you may know a solution to my dilemma?" Shamal asks, smiling hopefully.
[22:09] <Kotono> "The best way is...poison, I suppose," the gith considers as he thinks, "The most potent and simple way of damaging the ability of a victim."
[22:11] <Shamal> "Except that dragons have exceptionally hearty constitutions," Shamal counters. "It takes a very rare and special poison to have much chance of giving a wyrm pause."
[22:15] <Kotono> "It's not easy," he agrees after a moment of his own consideration. "Plus you'd need a good dose to affect a dragon. I admit, this is not a speciality of mine, only good advice."
[22:18] <Shamal> "And appreciated as such," Shamal admits respectfully. "You may recall I mentioned a poison we do have that may prove fatal by itself. A problem would be tricking the dragon to consume it, however - any suggestions as to how that could be best accomplished?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "Trickery," he agrees with his own leering smile, as he considers. "Get it's confidence up and try to make it eat it?"
[22:25] * Shamal nods. "Our thoughts align." She idly wonders if she should be concerned at thinking like a Githyanki, but when all's said and done, a good idea is a good idea. "The dragon demanded tribute from our city, so stuffing a cow or two with poison for it to feast upon as it robbed us had occured to me. Hmm... but if it does come to battle, can you offer anything physical besides the dust you mentioned?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "Beyond that, prepare with all your might," he allows after a few moments of thought. His smile grows, "Of course, unless you have more to trade..."
[22:31] <Shamal> "What you have offered..." Shamal lets her hand fall away from her pendant, "Is not worth such a prize. Especially when I will need all the help I can get against the dragon. However, I get the feeling it's the magic behind these gems, and not the pendant itself that interests you, am I right? The ability to have magic on call with no physical crutches or limitations on preperation?"
[22:32] <Kotono> His smile turns into a guarded look, calm and without mercy. Not at all, as, "It is," he speaks with an agreeableness that is noteworthy despite the way he looks. He steps back, going to rap against the door as he does. "However...I should remind you of your situation, human."
[22:35] * Shamal smiles, chuckling softly. "You misunderstand, Geatroth," she shakes her head. "I require this particular gem for the secondary effect it gives, but there are others - ones that may have spells of more interest to you than summoning a simple horse."
[22:35] <Kotono> The door opens, four Githyanki with greatswords behind it. "Then speak," he goes on, "I grow tired of this."
[22:41] <Shamal> Shamal's heartbeat quickens, realising that she is in a pretty bad situation - if they attacked her this close in, she'd be torn apart before being able to do much. But she attempts to maintain a calm facade even as she inwardly prays to Mielikki.
[22:41] <Shamal> "I could see to it that you were given a gem with a more appropriate spell after I return to my city - assuming you have some means for me to deliver it to you. As a show of good faith, I'm even willing to give you some fragments from a gem that bestowed the Scorching Ray spell upon the one who consumed it."
[22:44] <Kotono> The robed gith lets his hands out of his road, as he begins to smile again. All teeth this time, all white, sharp teeth. "Let me see them now," he insists, "Let me see if those fragments are worth much."
[22:46] * Shamal reaches around for her haversack. "And in exchange, you will tell me how to create the dust you showed me?" she asks guardedly.
[22:46] <Kotono> "I will give you the recipe for both types," he agrees, calmly. "If you renege...well..." he just smiles.
[22:49] <Shamal> "These are fair terms, and I would have agreed to such without such unpleasantness," Shamal shoots a meaningful look at the goon squad before she reaches into the haversack, visualising the fragments before pulling them out of her magical nondimensional space.
[22:49] <Shamal> Holding them up for inspection, "I had been holding onto them in hopes of using them to enhance a gem with a similar spell if I ever found it - the magic of their crafting was likely lost with the Gnomes."
[22:58] <Kotono> "Very well..." Taking out the vial again, he passes it over, "Here."
[23:00] * Shamal accepts the vial and passes the fragments to the Githyanki's hand. "I'm going to cast detect magic," she warns, "Just so there's no misunderstandings."
[23:01] <Kotono> "Of course," he allows, putting the fragments into his robe, hidden away.
[23:02] <Shamal> With but a word, Shamal casts her spell and studies the vial.
[23:02] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 on spellcraft for 25
[23:03] <Kotono> The vial radiates moderate abjuration.
[23:04] <Shamal> OOC: Can I ID it like I can with a potion, or would it need an identify spell?
[23:05] <Kotono> OOC - Identify. It's foreign to you.
[23:06] <Shamal> "And the method to its creation?" Shamal asks after she concludes her scrutiny, not incidentally taking in whatever other magical auras are visible around her.
[23:10] <Kotono> There is some magic around the gith, a few moderate auras. "You take..." he begins, starting to talk. OOC - PM.
[23:10] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 for 25 to ID whatever I can see

[Corwin]

[20:55] <Kotono> So the lesson progresses. When it is done, the robed gith stands. "I will alert you when we arrive," he speaks, departing.
[20:56] * Shamal looks rather pleased after Geatroth has finished explaining the process for creating their Dragon's Dust - almost enough to ignore the fact that there are four nearby Githyanki with big swords who look like they'd like to use them on her. Almost. "My thanks," she nods respectfully as the wizard leaves.
[20:57] <Kotono> A curt nod is all Shamal gets, the door closed and the druid alone again.
[20:58] <Shamal> Left alone, Shamal takes the time to scribe the crafting process down on paper, since this will need to be disseminated among all the alchemists in Balmuria once she gets back - it's not the easiest thing to create, so they'll need to get as many people working on it as possible.
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 40."12 [1d100=40]
[20:59] <Kotono> roll 1d20+50
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+50 and gets 63."12 [1d20=13]
[21:00] <Kotono> Events happen, 'time' passing as it only can when there is no time at all. At some point you find that a thought floats in your mind: 'Thinking just like a gith'.
[21:02] * Shamal blinks at the foreign voice in her head. 'Who is this?' she asks warily, putting away her writing materials.
[21:03] <Kotono> Nothing happens. The thought fades away as all thoughts tend to do.
[21:06] <Shamal> Frowning, Shamal casts detect magic and has a look around. If someone's messing with her head, she'd like to do something about it.
[21:06] <Kotono> Shamal does not detect any other magic beyond what should be there from her own items.
[21:08] <Shamal> Taking out her spellbook, Shamal decides to refresh her spells, if she can. No telling how much time has actually passed since last time she did so...
[21:10] <Kotono> Shamal is able to do so. As she finishes this, her door opens. The robed gith stands there, guards behind him. "It is time."
[21:13] <Shamal> "Good, I only hope I haven't been gone too long," Shamal smiles a bit tiredly, despite her lack of physical fatigue - this whole experience has been mentally draining, to be sure. "Do you have a method for me to send the gem of imbued spellcasting to you, or will someone come with me to get it?"
[21:23] <Kotono> "We'll be investigating," The gith smiles humorlessly, beckoning for Shamal to come. "There is a little more ahead of you, regardless."
[21:24] <Shamal> "Such as?" Shamal asks as she guardedly follows.
[21:26] <Kotono> "Getting to the portal." As you  head out and past a simple hall, you go up the stares to the deck. Ahead is a cluster of lots of chunks of rock, dirt, broken buildings and the like. A thick fog of it ahead, "The portal to your realm is ahead, but..." he waves, to chunks of forest, bits of tundra, fragments of castles, all obscuring the way. "Taking the ship through without scouting is not an option."
[21:26] <Kotono> On the deck is the plainclothes gith and lots of normal githyanki, in battle positions. As the robed one goes on, "Curious indeed."
[21:28] <Shamal> "If it could even fit through that mess..." Shamal murmurs quietly, before speaking up, "So from here on I'm on my own?" she surmises, peering into the distance.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Yes, our mission has been delayed long enough," The robed gith speaks in the words of flame.
[21:33] <Shamal> "Very well," Shamal lifts off a few feet from the deck of her ship. "On behalf of the Crimson Guard, and Balmuria, I thank you for your assistance thus far. If I do not hear from you after the dragon has been dealt with, I will investigate on my end how to send the agreed payment to you." She could probably get Uatu to help with that, most likely.
[21:37] <Kotono> The robed gith raises his hand in acknowledgement, watching as Shamal floats up. The rest of the gith stay on guard, peering at and ahead of Shamal.
[21:38] * Shamal gives a wave before ascending far enough to clear the sails and then changing course to fly into the malestrom!
[21:39] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check, as a general rule here, I think.
[21:40] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 19."12 [1d20=9]
[21:41] <Kotono> So Shamal flies along! A ruined castle parapet, a great field of growing wheat. She passes by both, up and down.  Slowly she heads inwards, above her some scattered rocks. Below her is a gap with nothing immediately of notice, and ahead is a chunk of trees and forest, alive and full of pines.
[21:42] <Shamal> "This feels more like Limbo than the astral plane..." Shamal mutters as she flies past free floating and incongruous scenery. Once she's some ways in, she glances back the way she came to see what the Githyanki ship is doing.
[21:43] <Kotono> It's glimpsed, the ship heading away. As you pass, you can notice that you hear a sort of small roar from the forest.
[21:45] * Shamal decides to go investigate - besides, it's nice to see some greenery, here. Flying over, she touches down in the forest, and starts moving towards where she heard the roar.
[21:47] <Kotono> The trees are supported with a thin layer of dirt and ground to stand on, coated with pine needles. As you descend, you see it come out from a tree. A black bear, looking about, sniffing.
[21:50] <Shamal> How the heck did a bear get here? Rather surprised, Shamal carefully approaches the animal, posture low and unthreatening as she reaches into her haversack for some jerky - she should probably eat something herself, on reflection, since her hunger will no doubt catch up with her as soon as she returns to the prime. "Here, bear..." she carols softly, holding up the dried meat. "Hungry?"
[21:50] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 wild empathy
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 wild empathy and gets 23."12 [1d20=13]
[21:56] <Kotono> The bear sniffs the food, looking on at Shamal warily. OOC - Listening check.
[21:57] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
[21:57] <Kotono> OOC - Carry on.
[21:58] <Shamal> "It's safe," Shamal encourages gently, setting the food down and then stepping backwards to give the bear room. "A pity I didn't expect to see any animals today, or I'd have prepared a spell that would let us talk."
[21:59] <Kotono> The bear goes and talkes the food once it's set down. It goes down in a bite, the predator staring at Shamal. Staring patiently. Not an overwhelmingly huge monster of a dire bear, but merely a normal, handleable bear.
[22:00] * Shamal is content to wait a little while and earn the animal's trust - if it accidentally blundered through the portal into this realm, she feels obligated to bring it back with her.
[22:01] <Kotono> OOC - Listening check again.
[22:02] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[22:02] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
[22:03] <Kotono> The bear freezes cold, before starting to growl at Shamal! It's hesitant acceptance turns into feral anger in seconds!
[22:04] <Shamal> Maybe it's growling at something behind her! Shamal glances backwards with just that hope.
[22:04] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check.
[22:08] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 11."12 [1d20=1]
[22:12] <Kotono> Shamal doesn't see anything behind her at all.
[22:12] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the bear growls again!
[22:13] <Shamal> Turning back to the bear, Shamal begins to back away - but perpendicular to her previous direction, so that she can see if the bear follows her or continues to growl at something unseen behind her previous location. "Shhh, it's alright, I won't hurt you," she continues to try and soothe the savage beast.
[22:14] <Kotono> OOC - Initiative first, I think. SEe if the bear has any chance on closing at you.
[22:14] <Shamal> roll 1d20+2
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+2 and gets 21."12 [1d20=19]
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 20."12 [1d20=19]
[22:14] <Kotono> OOC - Go.
[22:15] <Shamal> OOC: Doing what I said, readying an action to fly up if I get rushed.
[22:16] <Kotono> The bear does indeed charge at Shamal as she readies her action!
[22:16] * Shamal springs upwards, flying up fifty or so feet in the air and looking sadly down at the bear. "Why?" she murmurs, not liking this situation one bit.
[22:17] <Kotono> The thought again idly plays through your mind, a memory repeating. 'Just like a githyanki.' Meanwhile the bear looks on, roaring but unable to follow at anything approaching Shamal's speed.
[22:19] <Shamal> Shamal looks very unhappy. Someone is in her head! Casting detect magic, she moves far enough away from the bear that it can't charge her but still within 60 feet, before looking at the bear and all around for the source of this wackiness.
[22:20] <Kotono> There is moderate magic down below in the forest, somewhere out of your view. OOC - Spot check again witht hat, if you like.
[22:20] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
[22:21] <Kotono> You can see a shadow somewhere in the forests, a vague hidden outline of a humanoid.
[22:22] <Shamal> "I can see you!" Shamal calls down accusingly at the shadow.
[22:23] <Kotono> There is a pause, before, "Peace." You hear Shad's voice, the githlike creature slowly floating out from amid the forest.
[22:24] <Shamal> "Something very strange is happening," Shamal counters, continuing to pace the bear and keep out of its range. "How do I know you're not responsible?"
[22:26] <Kotono> "I am." He admits this without hesitating, "I come on a mission from my god."
[22:26] <Shamal> "And what mission does your god send you on that involves me?" the blonde asks, eyeing him suspiciously.
[22:27] <Shamal> OOC: taking 10 on spellcraft for 25 to ID magic effect
[22:28] <Kotono> OOC: Enchantment and transmutation.
[22:29] <Kotono> "To talk to you if you detected me, champion of Balmuria." THe gith floats closer, "If you wish, I will guide you to the portal home."
[22:30] <Shamal> "And if I hadn't detected you?" Shamal asks, still suspicious and keeping her distance. "It was you that enraged the bear... and I never told you where I came from, Shad."
[22:36] <Kotono> "My God has been generous with the information. Your apperance in the Astral Plane generated interest." Shad speaks evenly, without excitement or anger.
[22:37] <Shamal> "Why?" Shamal asks simply.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Your apperance on a plane that is not distant and restricted allows a chance to talk to you more directly." Shad smiles, but a strange, humorless smile. Yet not vicious at all. "Helm is not the only god moving."
[22:42] <Shamal> "And what God do you represent, pray tell?" Shamal returns dubiously.
[22:48] <Kotono> "Cyric." He says it as very matter of fact, before smiling. "Before you run, allow me to say that all the Gods struck the gnomes down, not merely one side of them. Our God also has an interest, if you are willing to listen."
[22:50] <Shamal> "You know, I've never even met a worshipper of Cyric before," Shamal can't help but note, voice flat. Then again, she can count the people she knows that venerate Mielikki on one hand. "Very well, I will listen to what the Prince of Lies has to say." She glances over to the enraged bear still vainly chasing her. "*After* you stop tormenting that poor bear."
[22:52] <Kotono> The moment you say that, the bear falls over, confused. "Very well," Shad drifts closer to you. "Shamal Velka, our God has watched Balmuria and the exploits as you explore. One of the groups finding the distant past and all the power that sleeps under the ground."
[22:54] <Shamal> "I would've thought he'd be more interested in groups besides mine," Shamal observes dryly, thinking of Irenes.
[22:57] <Kotono> "Cyric sees all," Shad smiles as you fly by a snowy field, white rabbits blending in as they hop around. "He sees and knows all the secrets you chase after, the answer to every question you have. He invites you to come with me, to his realm, where he will accept your loyalty and grant you the knowledge of the past." Shad's look becomes intense, "The Pact of Fire you held is but the very beginning. The secret to creating true magic, co
[22:58] <Kotono> true magic, contained in small gems. The location of each of the legendary Resorts. The answers to your problems; where the death sword Arondaaq lies; what each person you met hides. Everything the people of your world vie for, in the palm of your hand."
[23:01] * Shamal chuckles ever so softly. "You truly believe I would turn my back on the Forest Queen?" she asks incredulously. "This is not a serious offer."
[23:02] <Kotono> "Then..." Chuckling right back, "Will you turn away from how to slay Kondrux?"
[23:05] <Shamal> "If it means betraying Mielikki? Of course," Shamal replies firmly. "I may make compromises to deal with the dragon - I'd be a fool if I didn't know exactly what the 'people' I just negotiated with are all about - but some things are inviolable."
[23:07] <Kotono> "Still...come. Take my hand, Lord Cyric will give you a taste of what you are forsaking." Extending his hand out, voice sweet, "At a crucial time in the Prime Material's existance, you have brought it to the Githyanki's full attention again. Do you not wish to know the ramification sof that, either?"
[23:14] <Shamal> "I have an idea," Shamal replies cooly, her own hands down by her sides. "Events are picking up pace, perhaps making the Prime more like it was before the Gods and magic retreated - for good and for ill." Cocking her head, "I'm curious, though - you've spoken much of what Cyric offers, but little of what he wants, besides nebulous desires of my loyalty." Settling a firm gaze on Shad, she concludes, "Tell me what your God wants, Shad."
[23:17] <Kotono> "Cyric wishes to see the world return as it should be. What any god wants, no more, no less. The gifts he offers you further that cause..." Smiling again, keeping his hand out, "You've felt power, Shamal Velka." He meets her gaze right back, unblinking. "Would you like to feel the power, the true power? Bow to Lord Cyric, and it shall come to you as your goals will be one."
[23:21] <Shamal> "Cyric's goals," Shamal translates flatly.
[23:21] <Shamal> Shrugging, she goes on, repeating, "'As it should be' - what does that even mean? You continue to be evasive, Shad - even if I was so weak willed as to be tempted, your manner can't fail but arouse suspicion. As far as I can tell, you've simply offered me the chance to be a high powered but brainless puppet to carry out Cyric's mysterious plans. It would take a special kind of fool to accept such a bargain."
[23:22] <Kotono> "...very well." Shad approaches forth, "If you wish to see the glorious future and the goals to be, Lord Cyric will show you. SEe for yourself the world Lord Cyric desires."
[23:25] * Shamal takes a moment to cast Protection from Evil on herself to make sure that she won't do anything besides see whatever Shad's about to show her. She's quite obvious about it, too, since she actually says "Protection from evil," in common as part of the casting, not looking at all apologetic as she finishes.

[Corwin]

[20:40] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Withdrawing his sword, Shad holds the hilt vertical to his face, blade pointing towards the endless silver sky. "Lord Cyric, in these endless wastes, show Shamal Velka the truth!"
[20:41] <Shamal> It's all Shamal can do not to snicker at the concept of the self proclaimed Prince of Lies showing her 'the truth'.
[20:41] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-75-41-17-230.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[20:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The silver sky twists! The Astral Plane's up transfixes into a grand mural of what is to come, or what may come! In larger than life sizes you see it, Balmuria swelling. The city expands a dozen times over, around ruins as great treasures are brought up. Shamal oversees each, as more and more treasure comes out. The city is transformed - elementals walk under the command of countless humans. Wizards congregate freely, magica
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Wizards congregate freely, magical gems in shops. Shamal makes them, learning and learning. She can almost taste the power, page of countless arcane tomes showing. In the palace - her palace - she sits on a throne of the purest riches.  WIth a gesture Shamal can bring forth magic and potency. Dozens kneel before her - wizards, clerics of Cyric, Demedais, Seira, Command Oberuth, dark men whom you cannot make out beyond that.
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> dark men whom you cannot make out beyond that. (More)
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It whispers in her ear, the fragments of knowledge. She can almost see it in the books, the pages turning and filling the sky. So many secrets, so manyp aths to power, just out of her vision's sight.
[20:48] <Shamal> "That's it?" Shamal asks flatly after the vision ends. "Clearly you and your God know nothing about me."
[20:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Do I?" Shad smiles as he lowers his sword, the imagesf luttering away in the winds of the Astral. "Do you seek everything below to help others? No. You seek all the power because you want it. Tell me that the lost secrets under the soil have not sung their siren song to you. Tell me you do not want to go again, to find more power." With his sword lowered, Shad looks on guard now, cautious.
[20:57] <Shamal> "And what a sterile place Cyric would have me create with that power... I may have developed an appreciation for civilisation in recent years, Shad, but I've never forgotten my roots. Cities, even nations and empires, are transient things. But nature endures, and it is that which will always have my first loyalty," Shamal counters. "Nothing you have shown can compare with Mielikki's blessings."
[21:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Even..." Shad smiles evenly again, "What of when you hold the Last Resort in your hand?"
[21:09] <Shamal> "Even then... that's what this is about, isn't it?" Shamal smiles slightly herself. "Last time Daa-vid was a wildcard none of the Gods could afford, so they all set aside their differences to strike him down. But now - Cyric doesn't mind a new deity ascending, so long as he gets to pull the strings, am I right?" she asks knowingly.
[21:10] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 sense bullshit on his answer
[21:10] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+10 1,0sense bullshit on his answer --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{13}
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "The offer is there," Shad doesn't blink, his face rigid and unyielding.  "It's just within your reach. Lord Cyric sees your nature and understands it. You need not lie to the Prince of Lies...come to him." His hand goes out again, expectant. "Go back not to that empty, choked world, but come to your true calling."
[21:17] <Shamal> "I will not," Shamal replies sternly. "And I have heard enough."
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Then..." Shad's sword lowers, pointing at Shamal. "You will never find the past or the future; you will find a cold eternity here!"
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: He's going offensive, so initiative.
[21:20] <Shamal> roll 1d20+2
[21:20] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+2 --> 1,0[ 1d20=17 ]12,0{19}
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+6
[21:21] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+6 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{7}
[21:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Go.
[21:22] * Shamal glides backwards a bit, throwing out one of her hands at Shad as several lengths of thick rubbery kelp jet out to ensnare him!
[21:22] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 ranged touch
[21:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0ranged touch --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{25}
[21:23] <Shamal> roll 1d20+11 grapple check
[21:23] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+11 1,0grapple check --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{30}
[21:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+15
[21:24] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+15 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{21}
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The jets of kelp lash out, coming from nowhere to lash around him! His hands are restrained, his body held! But he does attempt to break the grappling hold!
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Opposed grapple checks.
[21:29] <Shamal> roll 1d20+11 come on, Kelp!
[21:29] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+11 1,0come on, Kelp! --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{21}
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+15
[21:29] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+15 --> 1,0[ 1d20=2 ]12,0{17}
[21:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> But he is held fast, unable to escape the seaweed doom, much like a sea elf! OOC - Shamal.
[21:33] <Shamal> "As you can see, Mielikki's power is quite sufficient for my purposes," Shamal tells him, before calling out another spell, "Proud hunter with eagle's ferocity and horses tenacity, I call upon you - strike at my enemy!" At her words, a hippogriff appears between Shamal and Shad, promptly tearing into him with teeth and claws!
[21:33] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{21}
[21:33] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{18}
[21:34] <Shamal> roll 1d20+3
[21:34] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+3 --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{10}
[21:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Allb ut the last hit.
[21:35] <Shamal> roll 2d4+12
[21:35] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 2d4+12 --> 1,0[ 2d4=2 ]12,0{14}
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The hippogriff ravagaes the grappled Shad, his cries angry as his flesh is torn! Minor wounds, but enough to show damage, his sides ripped! "This pwoer...is nothing to me!" he screams, attempting to break out!
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+15 opposed grappling time.
[21:36] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+15 1,0opposed grappling time. --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{35}
[21:36] <Shamal> roll 1d20+11 why
[21:36] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+11 1,0why --> 1,0[ 1d20=11 ]12,0{22}
[21:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This time, with a surge of his muscles, Shad is able to break free, stumbling out of the seaweed grasp! "The power of your God is nothing compared to Cyric!" OOC - Shamal's up.
[21:38] <Shamal> "We'll see," Shamal's expression hardens as she casts another spell. Nobody talks bad about Mielikki on her watch!
[21:38] <Shamal> roll 1d4+2
[21:38] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d4+2 --> 1,0[ 1d4=1 ]12,0{3}
[21:38] <Shamal> And suddenly there are four of her!
[21:41] <Shamal> After casting her spell, Shamal retreats full speed while her summoned ally continues its attack!
[21:41] <Shamal> OOC: moving 180ft away, plus whatever distance we were already apart by
[21:41] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{21}
[21:41] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=2 ]12,0{10}
[21:41] <Shamal> roll 1d20+3
[21:41] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+3 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{9}
[21:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Say ten feet.
[21:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - First hits.
[21:42] <Shamal> roll 1d4+6
[21:42] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d4+6 --> 1,0[ 1d4=2 ]12,0{8}
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As Shamal falls back, she goes past an expanse of snow, white rabbits hiding in the chunk of land! Past this are the ruins of what looks like a defensive wall, floating about in several pieces, with lots of tiny chunks. Meanwhile, Shad falls back a little, tearing into the hippogriff!
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[21:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{20}
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[21:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{31}
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11 crit check
[21:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+11 1,0crit check --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{21}
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - AC of hippogriff?
[21:43] <Shamal> AC 15
[21:43] <Shamal> OOC: 31hp
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 3d8+30
[21:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 3d8+30 --> 1,0[ 3d8=10 ]12,0{40}
[21:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The hippogriff is torn apart, the raw fury of Shad transforming him! His calm vanishes, a martial terror falling over him! His eyes burn with anger, as he stands over it's vanishing corpse! "YOU WILL BOW TO THE POWER OF CYRIC!" OOC - You're 190 ft away, your action.
[21:47] <Shamal> Deciding that turning into a werereat wouldn't help her too much at this juncture, Shamal sacrifices her last 2nd circle divine spell, summoning a crocodile directly in front of her, that Shad would have to move around to reach her.
[21:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC- Doing anything else?
[21:49] <Shamal> OOC: actually, slight amendment to my line.
[21:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Okay, since the Astral does all that quickening stuff I'm usually making sure you're done first
[21:50] <Shamal> Deciding that turning into a werereat wouldn't help her too much at this juncture, Shamal flies over to the ruins of the nearby wall, using some of the chunks for cover as she sacrifices her last 2nd circle divine spell, summoning a crocodile directly in front of her, that Shad would have to move around to reach her.
[21:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shad rushes ahead, devoting all his energy to moving! He just about reaches the crocodile, but not quite, about ten feet away. "There is still time to surrender!"
[21:53] <Shamal> "I'm just getting started, Shad," Shamal promises, as all four of her shoot forth a beam of coruscating negative energy, intended to sap away at his strength and make him easier prey for her pets!
[21:53] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 ranged touch
[21:53] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0ranged touch --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{9}
[21:55] <Shamal> The crocodile then shuffles forward to attack, having some difficulty moving in the astral while Shamal soars away another two hundred feet perpendicular to where she was going before, keeping enough distance that Shad can't easily reach her.
[21:55] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:55] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=8 ]12,0{16}
[21:56] * Sierra_Mikain (~Melanchth@pool-71-191-18-214.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the crocodile misses, Shamal soars up! Up above the ruined wall - past it she can see as tretch of desert land, surrounded by floating chuckls of minerals. Meanwhile, Shad dodges and strikes the crocodile in his way!
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[21:56] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{21}
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Croc AC?
[21:56] <Shamal> OOC: 15, 28hp
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - He can full attack it anyway since it movedi nto melee him.
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+11
[21:57] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+11 --> 1,0[ 1d20=16 ]12,0{27}
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d10+20
[21:57] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 2d10+20 --> 1,0[ 2d10=6 ]12,0{26}
[21:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The crocodile is torn up, it's jaw nearly severed and it's tail sliced off! It only lives by a small miracle of fate, on the verge of dying! OOC - Shamal and summon.
[21:58] <Shamal> Bravely, the crocodile continues to attack this evil foe and buy some time for its mistress to... do something. Hopefully she has a plan, right?
[21:58] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8
[21:58] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 --> 1,0[ 1d20=17 ]12,0{25}
[21:58] <Shamal> roll 1d8+8
[21:58] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d8+8 --> 1,0[ 1d8=5 ]12,0{13}
[21:59] <Shamal> roll 1d20+8 improved grab grapple check
[21:59] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+8 1,0improved grab grapple check --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{17}
[21:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+15 grapple it could roll a 1!
[21:59] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+15 1,0grapple it could roll a 1! --> 1,0[ 1d20=8 ]12,0{23}
[22:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The bite tears a chunk of Shad's shoulder away, bloodflow coming from a successful strike! It does seem to be a considerable wound, another hit on the angered godservant! OOC - Now Shamal.
[22:00] <Shamal> Meanwhile Shamal takes out her wand of lightning bolt, readying an action to shoot him as soon as he comes within its 120ft range and then move back.
[22:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seeing the crocodile weakened, Shad goes for the kill!
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:03] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=19 ]12,0{35}
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16 crit check
[22:03] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+16 1,0crit check --> 1,0[ 1d20=18 ]12,0{34}
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d10+20
[22:03] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 2d10+20 --> 1,0[ 2d10=9 ]12,0{29}
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> It's brains are chopped up twice, it's head several fragments as it's slain! With that one stroke, Shad begins to advance, coming within 120 feet!
[22:04] <Shamal> As soon as he floats into range, all four of the Shamals let loose a devastating barrage of lightning bolts, zeroing in on Shad as she flies back another hundred feet, keeping him from getting in range!
[22:04] <Shamal> roll 5d6
[22:04] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 5d6 --> 1,0[ 5d6=21 ]12,0{21}
[22:04] <Shamal> OOC: wands use the minimum DC, so that'd be 14
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
[22:05] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=6 ]12,0{13}
[22:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The bolt arcs into Shad, shaking him up! He convulses in the magic, stricken! Yet he lives, even if singed! Taking his chance now that Shamal has acted, Shad falls back, floating back and away!
[22:12] * Shamal is faced with a quandary. If she pursues, she risks getting into range for him to retaliate. On the other hand, she simply can't let his insults against Mielikki and attacks against her pass. Deciding not to leave him to come after her again, she flies towards the debris surrounding the desert area, using it as cover while she fires another quad-lightning bolt at him!
[22:12] <Shamal> roll 5d6
[22:12] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 5d6 --> 1,0[ 5d6=14 ]12,0{14}
[22:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: What's the range on that?
[22:13] <Shamal> OOC: 120ft
[22:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - He stopped at 120 ft when he got zapped, and he's fleeing back now. You're fleeing back to the desert, the numers don't work.
[22:13] <Shamal> OOC: I asked for cover within 120 feet of him, you listed that as an option. <_<
[22:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Oh, I missed that. My fault. The walls could be within range, the desert not so much.
[22:15] <Shamal> OOC: strike my line
[22:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Fair enough.
[22:15] * Shamal is faced with a quandary. If she pursues, she risks getting into range for him to retaliate. On the other hand, she simply can't let his insults against Mielikki and attacks against her pass. Deciding not to leave him to come after her again, she flies back towards the ruined wall she used as cover previously, easily overtaking Shad and settling herself within its protective stony embrace, lightning wand held at the ready.
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shad continues to fall back, going out of range. He falls back to the first forest, getting well out of range. He can be seen landing there, going into the cover and...
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+13
[22:16] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+13 --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{16}
[22:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Spot check.
[22:17] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[22:17] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{11}
[22:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> With the distance and cover both considerably in his favor, Shad hides himself.
[22:17] * Shamal swaps the lightning wand for the magic missile one, before she takes off in pursuit!
[22:18] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 2d8+3
[22:18] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 2d8+3 --> 1,0[ 2d8=14 ]12,0{17}
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As Shamal races in, about 100 feet away, she sees Shad fly out! His wounds no longer looks quite so overwhelming, as he soars up straight up, away from Shamal!
[22:19] <Shamal> OOC: how far away is he from me after his move?
[22:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: 200 or so.
[22:21] * Shamal moves forty feet closer before casting Glitterdust, surrounding the evil Cyric worshipper with blinding sparkling motes!
[22:22] <Shamal> OOC: DC 18 will save or blinded
[22:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+7
[22:22] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+7 --> 1,0[ 1d20=4 ]12,0{11}
[22:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The dust obscures Shad's vision, clouding his eyes! He whips his head around a few times as he struggles in it, before trying to continue to fly straight up!
[22:24] * Shamal casts produce flame, before flying to within 100 feet of him and using her wand to loose off a trio of magic missiles at him!
[22:24] <Shamal> roll 3d4+3
[22:24] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 3d4+3 --> 1,0[ 3d4=8 ]12,0{11}
[22:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Struck by missiles and blinded, Shad changes his course! Instead he dives in desperation at Shamal, liek a falling eagle attempting to spear her!
[22:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Strike.
[22:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shad, so blinded, and struggling with his eyes, he continues to fly straight up and away!
[22:27] <Shamal> OOC: how far is he from me after his move?
[22:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: 200 ft - you fired at him from 100 ft.
[22:31] * Shamal flies after him, closing the distance to 35 feet before she hurls a ball of flame at him and swiftly casts a summon spell to conjure a dire rat next to him. Squeaking ferally, it lunges to bite on with disease-ridden teeth - on the off chance he gets away, it'll give him an unpleasant reminder of the encounter.
[22:31] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 dire rat attack
[22:31] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+4 1,0dire rat attack --> 1,0[ 1d20=3 ]12,0{7}
[22:31] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 fireball ranged touch
[22:31] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0fireball ranged touch --> 1,0[ 1d20=20 ]12,0{25}
[22:31] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 fireball ranged touch crit check
[22:31] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0fireball ranged touch crit check --> 1,0[ 1d20=9 ]12,0{14}
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Rodent misses, critted.
[22:32] <Shamal> roll 2d6+10 fire
[22:32] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 2d6+10 1,0fire --> 1,0[ 2d6=6 ]12,0{16}
[22:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The fireball strikes him directly, scorching his skin! His body begins to burn, merry torched by Shamal's magic! Roaring in agony and pain, "I'll kill you for Lord Cyric, so you can sit at his mercy for eternity!" This wild scream follows, as he strikes back out at the rat before flying straight up.
[22:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16
[22:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+16 --> 1,0[ 1d20=5 ]12,0{21}
[22:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d100 concealment, 1-50 is a miss
[22:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d100 1,0concealment, 1-50 is a miss --> 1,0[ 1d100=77 ]12,0{77}
[22:33] <Shamal> OOC: AC 15, 7hp
[22:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+10
[22:33] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d8+10 --> 1,0[ 1d8=7 ]12,0{17}
[22:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The rat is split in two, slain instantly by a frenzied, lucky stroke! OOC - Shamal.
[22:36] * Shamal paces, hurling yet another ball of fire at his back as she stays within fifty feet. Technically there are four fireballs, but he's in no position to count.
[22:36] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 ranged touch
[22:36] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0ranged touch --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{12}
[22:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hit.
[22:36] <Shamal> roll 1d6+5
[22:36] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d6+5 --> 1,0[ 1d6=2 ]12,0{7}
[22:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shad continues to burn! His flesh turns to an ashy white and charred black, hints of red all over!
[22:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Gah.
[22:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shad continues to burn! His flesh turns to an ashy white and charred black, hints of red all over! Snarling in agony, he slips backwards and touches himself!
[22:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d8+3
[22:38] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d8+3 --> 1,0[ 1d8=6 ]12,0{9}
[22:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The magic that comes mends Shad's flesh somewhat, making it only a partially ruined hsuk of a being! OOC - Shamal.
[22:43] <Shamal> "I think I have more fireballs than you have cure spells," Shamal taunts, loosing off another fireball as she follows, also summoning up a small viper directly above him, which hisses and strikes with venomous fangs! "More allies, too."
[22:43] <Shamal> roll 1d6+5 fiery touch
[22:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d6+5 1,0fiery touch --> 1,0[ 1d6=6 ]12,0{11}
[22:43] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 should've done that first
[22:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0should've done that first --> 1,0[ 1d20=7 ]12,0{12}
[22:43] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 snake attack
[22:43] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+4 1,0snake attack --> 1,0[ 1d20=10 ]12,0{14}
[22:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Hits.
[22:44] <Shamal> roll 1d2 snake DC 12 fort save or poisoned
[22:44] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d2 1,0snake DC 12 fort save or poisoned --> 1,0[ 1d2=2 ]12,0{2}
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10
[22:46] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=8 ]12,0{18}
[22:47] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Burned and bitten, Shad looks on death's door! His body is nearly falling apart, more red and bloody-burnt than intact! Yet somehow he continues to float, before at last just flying back as fast as he can!
[22:47] <Shamal> roll 1d20+4 snake AoO
[22:47] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+4 1,0snake AoO --> 1,0[ 1d20=1 ]12,0{5}
[22:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The snake bites at Shad, but misses altogether!
[22:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - The druid grrl is up.
[22:49] * Shamal continues her relentless pursuit, another fireball thrown for good measure! "As you return to Cyric, just remember that it didn't have to be this way - you forced this battle," she sternly lectures.
[22:50] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 fireball
[22:50] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0fireball --> 1,0[ 1d20=16 ]12,0{21}
[22:50] <Shamal> roll 1d6+5
[22:50] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d6+5 --> 1,0[ 1d6=6 ]12,0{11}
[22:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop>  With that fireball, Shad bursts into flames altogether! His body and clothing are consuemd, sword smoking! He screams, yet he gets this out even as he is consumed..."Shamal...Velka....Seira....Demeda...Helm is not the only one watching. Tell them that...one side or another will receive our blessings. If you turn away from the Gods again...heh..heh...."
[22:56] <Shamal> "I believe I've aptly demonstrated that Mielikki's blessings are enough," Shamal counters, launching another fireball at him to hopefully shut him up for good!
[22:56] <Shamal> roll 1d20+5 fiery death
[22:56] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+5 1,0fiery death --> 1,0[ 1d20=13 ]12,0{18}
[22:56] <Shamal> roll 1d6+5
[22:56] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d6+5 --> 1,0[ 1d6=6 ]12,0{11}
[22:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> He burns alive! His body is ravaged, possessions aflame! No words, just a floating pyre in the Astral Plane!
[23:02] * Shamal floats up to the now dead Gith and takes his sword, stuffing it away in her handy haversack. "May Cyric reward you as you deserve," she tells the corpse, before flying back down to the forest where she met him, looking for that poor bear.
[23:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The forest is found, the bear in the bushes and peering out fearfully.
[23:07] * Shamal gently settles down on the ground, making soothing noises as she gestures for the bear to come forward. "It's alright, you're safe now," she encourages softly.
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC - Wild Empathy, I reckon.
[23:08] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10
[23:08] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Shamal rolled :1,0 1d20+10 --> 1,0[ 1d20=15 ]12,0{25}
[23:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Cooed by Shamal, the bear slowly emerges from it's hiding place. It's hesitant, but approaches.
[23:09] * Shamal gives the bear some of Laika's doggy treats, while eating some dried jerky herself as they calm down from recent events, waiting until the bear seems more comfortable before doing anything.
[23:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This is done easily enough, the b ear calmed by the food and Shamal's druidic powers. The food tastes well enough otherwise.
[23:12] <Shamal> Once the bear seems more compliant, Shamal takes the time to convince the bear it should follow her, helping it to get the hang of airborne movement here in the astral.
[23:12] <Shamal> OOC: taking 20 on handle animal for 26 to 'push' the bear so it can perform the 'follow' trick
[23:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> This is done very slowly, the bear needing time to adapt. But eventually it can fly, even if it's nowhere near Shamal's pace.
[23:13] * Shamal doesn't mind, matching the bear's pace as it follows her while she begins to search through his morass for the portal back to the prime.
[00:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the bear is prepared and ready to go, sound is heard. "Shamal, can you hear me!" The voice of Demedais echos, carried on a streak of mist.
[00:33] <Shamal> "Demedais? Is that you?" Shamal calls back in confusion, looking around for the source of the voice.
[00:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Shamal sees that to her side a swirl of mist is gathering.
[00:36] <Shamal> "Come along, mr bear," Shamal gestures for her new friend to follow as she slowly makes her way to the mist, keeping pace with the animal.
[00:36] * Shamal sets mode: +o Demedais
[00:36] <Demedais> "Yeah, it's me!" Demedais replies. "I can't see you, but I can hear you. Follow my voice - I'm at Uatu's!"
[00:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The bear follows along, confused but obeying Shamal.
[00:39] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The mists ahead swirl, a small circle of mists outlining the way. Dimly, Shamal can see Demedais.
[00:40] * Shamal waves to Demedais once she can see him, continuing on through the mists. So convenient!